Relief for Smith after win

13 April 2011 11:30

Walsall manager Dean Smith was relieved to see his team come from behind to ease their League One relegation fears with a narrow 3-2 win over Brentford at the Banks's Stadium.
Two goals from veteran striker Jon Macken and one from winger Jordan Cook clinched the points while central defender Pim Balkestein and striker Lewis Grabban were on target for the Bees.
Smith said: "A win was what was required and that's what we got and we like a bit of entertainment as well. There were little signs of anxiety early on but that is understandable bearing in mind the position we are in. Jon Macken's goal gave us the spark that we were looking for and we played a lot better after that one went in."
Smith praised the performance of striker Macken, who took his goal tally for the season to eight, saying: "His first was a great finish and something he does regularly in training and he was excellent throughout, holding the ball up well too. I'm delighted he got two goals.
"Jordan Cook did well for his goal with a great little turn-and-finish but the most important thing for us was the result after Saturday's defeat at Plymouth and I keep saying how important our home games are to us.
"There are five games to go now and they will be exactly the same where the three points are the most important thing. We have Brighton here, who have already clinched promotion, on Saturday. I have seen them a couple of times and they are a good footballing team and Gus Poyet has them playing some fantastic stuff. But we have to win our home games."